Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Hub


ENGLISH:

LAHRC is committed to keep our members informed about the recent outbreak of the corona-virus (COVID-19). It is more important than ever to stay connected with our people in our community. This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone in the world. We hope that you’re staying safe and sound.

Support is available for LGBTIQ Victorians facing hardship.
Below find links to information related to resources and links to services

ESPAÑOL:

LAHRC se compromete a mantener informados a nuestros miembros sobre el reciente brote del coronavirus (COVID-19). Es más importante que nunca estar conectado con nuestra gente en nuestra comunidad. Este es un momento increíblemente difícil para todos en el mundo. Esperamos que todos este bien.

El apoyo está disponible para las personas LGBTIQ residentes en Victoria que enfrentan dificultades. A continuación, encontrará enlaces a información relacionada con recursos y enlaces a servicios.

PORTUGUÊS:

O LAHRC está empenhado em manter nossos membros informados sobre o recente surto de coronavírus (COVID-19). É mais importante do que nunca estar conectado com nosso pessoal em nossa comunidade. Este é um momento extremamente difícil para todos no mundo. Esperamos que todos estejam bem.

O suporte está disponível para LGBTIQ vitorianos que enfrentam dificuldades.
Abaixo, você encontra links para informações relacionadas a recursos e links para serviços.



Covid Vaccine – Vacuna contra el Covid

Australia safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine

PRIORITY GROUPS

The Australian COVID-19 vaccination program will work in phases. It will begin with priority groups including:

  • aged care and disability care residents and workers
  • frontline healthcare workers
  • quarantine and border workers.

This priority group is also known as “Phase 1a”. The following priority group for vaccination is “Phase 1b” including:

  • Elderly adults aged 80 years and over
  • Elderly adults aged 70-79 years
  • Other health care workers
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
  • Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing
  • Adults with a disability who have a specified underlying medical condition
  • Adults with a specified medical condition

For adults with a medical condition, people will need to provide proof of these conditions to demonstrate their eligibility for vaccination. This can include:

  • A Phase 1b declaration form
    • NOTE: Using this form is preferable to other forms of evidence because the form does not require someone to disclose the condition that puts them into the eligibility category.
  • A referral from a treating GP or specialist
  • A My Health Record
  • Your regular GP clinic’s records
  • Other medical records including medical history printouts, a chronic disease care plan, a hospital discharge summary or a valid script for medication prescribed for one of the relevant conditions.

Adults living with HIV will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during “Phase 1b”.

Following Phase 1, Phase 2a priority groups will include:

  • Adults aged 60-69 years
  • Adults aged 50-59 years
  • Continue vaccinating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
  • Other critical and high risk workers

Phase 2b will include the remainder of the adult population in Australia.

Children (people under the age of 16) will only be vaccinated if recommended by health officials in what will be Phase 3.

Connecting and being social

Victoria New Lock-down June 2021

Lock-down info, exposure sites and support

The Victorian Government is providing financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

For information click on the links below

Mental Health in times of Covid-19

We know that many people, including those who identify as LGBTIQ, are experiencing mental health challenges at this time.

For advice on looking after your mental health during the pandemic and a list of support services, including LGBTIQ-specific support services, see:

The Commonwealth Government is providing an extra 10 Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions for Victorians affected by the second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

For the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website [dhhs.vic.gov.au]dhhs.vic.gov.au or contact the dedicated coronavirus hotline 24/7 on 1800 675 398.

This page describes practical psychological skills to help you and your loved ones cope with anxiety and worry about infectious diseases https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support

Looking after you mental health during COVID-19 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

10 psychological tips for coping with COVID-19 https://mindspot.org.au/assets/pdf/10_Tips_for_Coping_with_Infectious_Diseases.pdf

Together, we can ensure people in LGBTIQ communities are aware of available resources and supports during this difficult time. Stay safe.

Support for LGBTIQ Victorians

Financial support

We understand that many people across Victoria have lost work or have had their hours reduced due to the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Victorian Government is providing financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes a worker support payment and hardship payment for people required to self-isolate or quarantine, emergency food relief and an emergency rent relief grant.

For information on the range of financial support available see:

Survival Guide for International Students – (Spanish Video)

Below we present a helpful video created by El Oscar with the links and all the information regarding the organisations that can help you in these times.

Oscar:I hope it is useful to you and like I did, you can take advantage of these. Unfortunately things happen when we are in another country or when we least imagine it, that is why we must be informed in case something happens, we know how and where to go“..



You’re Not Alone  

If you would like to talk to somebody, then please reach out to either of the following organisations recommended by ReachOut.org.
Switchboard VictoriaSwitchboard Victoria provides anonymous and free telephone counselling, information and referrals for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities of Victoria and Tasmania.Website: switchboard.org.au
3pm–12am, 7 days a week
Phone: 1800 184 527
Email: admin@switchboard.org.au

Zoe Belle Gender Centre (ZBGC)The ZBGC is an online service that supports the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s transgender and gender-diverse community. It is available to anyone in Australia. The ZBGC also provides an online Q&A service for people seeking answers to their questions about sexuality and gender diversity.Website: zbgc.com.au

VPS LGBTIQ HelplineThis helpline is a dedicated LGBTIQ support service that is available to all VPS employees. The service is confidential, safe and well-equipped to meet the needs of LGBTIQ staff and allies in the VPS. Counselling services can be tailored to meet individual needs. You can also discuss referrals to specialised services and get access to general information and resources. To access this service, call 1300 542 874.

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636

Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14

National services that may useful for intersex people include:

Intersex Peer Support Australia
Website: isupport.org.au

Intersex Human Rights Australia
Website: ihra.org.au


Let us know if we are missing important information, share your link.